Madison Angling Guide Service

Three of the Madison chain lakes are fished as separate propositions rather than as one water, and the service’s own reports say why. On Mendota the rule of thumb is to find the warmest water in spring and the fish follow; channel cats move into the shallows on cut bait while walleyes come on trolled stick baits after dark and on slip bobbers in the shallows. Monona runs considerably clearer than Mendota, with panfish stacked in the weedy bays before the spawn and muskies seen often but coming slowly to small crankbaits. Waubesa grows weed early, which puts muskies tight to cover and walleyes cruising the shallow weeds and flats, best after dark or under cloud on stick baits and dropshot minnows. Full days are eight hours at $550 and half days four to five hours at $400, covering up to three guests, with all tackle for the target species supplied and a $100 deposit at booking.